What’s Biting 2022
Here in the Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Beaufort, South Carolina area we have an active fishery year-round. Being able to get into fish year-round is great news for many of my people who plan trips to this area around family schedules rather than fishing trends. That being said some parts of the year do fish better than others and some of our fish species are seasonal. Whether your plans are family driven or you want to time your trip around fishing trends, this blog should give you an idea of what my fishing will look like for 2022.
Disclaimer: there are a lot of different fish and fishing styles here in the Low Country. This blog is not talking about Low Country fishing as a whole but rather focuses on trends I follow as a light tackle and fly fishing guide.
Red fish (red drum) are our primary target year around. Most of our red fish spend their first four to five years of life in shallow water growing up to around 30ish inches long before they mature into “bull reds” and head to deeper water. It is in the shallow creeks and flats that we can often see and cast to red fish with both flies and lures. If I had to choose my two favorite times to chase red fish, they would be during flood tides from May through November and low tides from October through March.
Sea trout (speckled sea trout, spotted sea trout) are here year-round but I typically target them October through February. While I rarely have opportunities to sight cast to sea trout, large numbers of them will congregate and feed aggressively during the cooler months. Sea trout are the one fish I prefer to fish for on light tackle but if the bite is really hot they can be a lot of fun on the fly as well.
Jack crevalle are one of the hardest pulling fish we have. These fish are migratory and spend June through September here in the Low Country. Weather and tide conditions need to be right to get a shot at jacks from a flats skiff, but when it all comes together you’ll never forget the experience. I am typically throwing flies and lures in front of schools of 25-40lb jacks swimming right on the surface.
Cobia are a special fish here in the Low Country. While cobia are not typically an inshore species, there is a genetically unique strain of cobia that returns to our estuary each May and June to spawn. Cobia, like jacks, need good weather to be pursued visually. Unlike jacks, cobia are typically found cruising on the surface solo. Flashy flies and lures are our go to for enticing an eat form these fish that can sometimes weigh 60+lbs.
Tripletail are one of our more unique fish to target from May through October. Tripletail usually show up floating just under the water’s surface waiting for bait to mistake them as debris to hide under. Their unique feeding behavior and aggressive demeanor combined with a well placed cast can be the recipe for a memorable catch.
Most days I am not targeting bull red fish, tarpon, flounder, sharks, false albacore, and spanish mackerel. That being said, opportunities to target these fish do present themselves at various times of the year. For clients specifically wanting to target these specific fish I would typically refer you to other captains who run charters that focus on them.
Here in the Low Country every day is an adventure. While you can have a pretty good idea of what you’re targeting the salt water is full of surprises. I look forward to seeing what we get into in 2022!